Frugal Healthy Recipes

I need your best recipes that are very budget friendly, fresh, healthy and obviously tasty. Kid friendly too!

I used to stay away from white pasta but its cheaper than wheat

I do NOT buy boxed processed food that you can get cheap with coupons.

Need to cut back a lot of $$$

Frugal Healthy Recipes

I only buy on sale items to help save $$. I don't have recipes to share, but anything you can make in large amounts is cost effective. Ziti, casseroles, stews, soups, you can add lots of frozen or fresh veggies which can be cheaper to all the above. Quinoa based meals might be good too.

Message edited 11/5/2016 11:21:25 AM.

Frugal Healthy Recipes

I do my meals around sales. Yesterday I was in the store and got my fresh produce on sale- I only buy the sale. I picked up yams at 67 cents a lb and then asparagus was 99 cents a lb. I buy chicken on sale and stock up so I peeled and chopped up the yams, put on a cookie sheet with asparagus, laid chicken breasts over it and seasoned with salt pepper brown sugar and honey. If you broke it down, meal cost me under $6. Just an idea. Always plan your meals around sales.
Also every meal doesn't need meat. I do breaded eggplant baked when egg plant is on sale. Meat is costly!
Another favorite of mine is ST rice ball casserole. VERY VERY hearty I get like 3 meals from it minimum and it's not costly.

Message edited 11/5/2016 11:52:38 AM.

Frugal Healthy Recipes

Like others said depends on sales. Last week chicken quarters were on sale at shoprite for like 40 cents a pound. You can separate them into thighs and legs for two different meals and use trimmings to make stock. All for like $3 a package.
Black beans and rice are a favorite thats really inexpensive.
Shoprite lately has 2.5 dozen eggs foe $2 and change. Amazing deal.
Also, aldis has had squash for 99 cents a piece. I've gotten a few big spaghetti squash and butternut this fall.

Re: Frugal Healthy Recipes

Posted by stinger

I used to stay away from white pasta but its cheaper than wheat

Re: Frugal Healthy Recipes

Thanks everyone. I have been cooking fresh healthy meals for years so most of the replies i am either doing or have done already. I guess im in a bad rut. Its getting more difficult for me lately. My kids will only eat leftovers 1x. They are getting tired of the same old stuff. I am the only adult and i try to portion control for myself and dont want to eat all the leftovers. I am not good at cutting recipes in half or freezing leftovers. I work FT and try to shop/prep on sundays but im less motivated lately. Cheap (whats on sale) just tastes bad to me lately. I guess i am just tired and the prepping planning cooking is becoming a lot of work. Im looking for the easy way out but maybe there isnt one (tell me exactly what to cook!) lol

Re: Frugal Healthy Recipes

I think anything that can help you use up odds/ends in the fridge/pantry is frugal. Some healthy ideas are:

Salads - I usually will use leftover chicken, meat, shrimp, etc. to top a green salad. You can add any veggies, cheese, nuts, seeds, etc.. you have and make a homemade dressing with pantry staples (oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, dried herbs, etc.).

Egg-based dishes - Things like quiches, omelets, baked frittatas, etc. also allow you to use lots of veggies and customize with things like cheese or meat. It's healthy and cheap protein. Good for breakfast, lunch or even dinner (with soup or a side salad)

Homemade soup - I love making a big batch of chicken soup or something like Skinnytaste's Beef and Barley soup. It's hearty and filling but doesn't use a ton of meat. A lot of the vegetables called for are hearty and last awhile (carrots, celery, onion) but you can definitely use them in soup even if they are a little past their prime. Stews and chilis are the same idea.

Baked potato bars is also a cheap idea to use up leftovers, because potatoes are cheap. Top with leftover chicken or taco meat or veggies like broccoli and cheese or bacon. Can use sweet potatoes, too.

In the winter, I like making spaghetti squash casseroles. There is a good Skinnytaste one with spinach and cheddar (almost like a baked mac and cheese, but light and healthy), and a Prevention recipe I use with tomatoes and mozzarella.

Frugal Healthy Recipes

I usually focus on speed but a lot of my quick stuff is cheap, too.

Store bought rotisserie chicken for crockpot chili (can of sauce, tomatoes with chiles, peppers, frozen corn, chili seasoning), tacos, quesadillas (I do bbq or buffalo).

Grilled Cheese and soup- I like the Trader Joe's organic tomato

Ravioli- Trader Joe's has different varieties.

North Shore Farms has pre-cut chicken stir-fry for like $3 a pack- mix with sauce and veggies, serve over rice. The also have chicken meatballs for $4-$5 a pack- bake and serve over spaghetti.

So many pasta dishes- mac n cheeses (I do a primavera one or a buffalo chicken one) are so filling and I use whole wheat pasta, reduced fat cheese, skim milk.

Re: Frugal Healthy Recipes

Okay, here are some actual recipes. I definitely agree that sometimes the frugal stuff just isn't as appealing. I'm not a big bone in chicken fan but there are some here we do enjoy.

greek marinated chicken I like to make ST tzazizki with this along with a salad.

ST Dijon pork chops I've done this boneless and bone in pork chops.

Chickpea Masala

Coconut Thyme braised chicken

ST slow cooker tacos Okay you said you don't like freezing, but taco meat is something you should give a chance! I didn't use super lean meat here since it's so much more expensive. I just drained the fat well.

buffalo drumsticks

Lemon chicken

Frugal Healthy Recipes

We buy meats in bulk when they are on sale and vacuum seal them in the portion size we need so there isn't too much extra.

For veggies - I usually buy frozen and stock up when there is a sale on the side.

I buy a bag of potatoes and onions each week.

I do love the Skinnytaste recipes (I think tomorrow I may try the pork one MrsT809 posted).

I also love their turkey meatloaf.

I roast pork a lot in the crock pot - either with bbq sauce or a jar of salsa (it's really yummy).